Senate Republicans Shoot Down Minimum Wage Hike

Vote fails to clear filibuster, 54-42, with all but one Republican dissenting

(Newser)
–
Senate Republicans today blocked a Democratic bill that would boost the federal minimum wage, handing a defeat to President Obama on a vote that is sure to reverberate in this year's congressional elections. The legislation by Sen. Tom Harkin would have gradually raised the $7.25 hourly minimum to $10.10 over 30 months and then would have provided automatic annual increases to account for inflation. The vote was 54-42 in favor of allowing debate on the measure to proceed, six votes short of the 60 Democrats needed to prevail.

Bob Corker was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote "yes." Harry Reid switched his vote to "no," a procedural move that gives him the right to call another vote on the measure. No other Democrats opposed the bill. Susan Collins has said she and some other Republicans would be willing to reach a compromise on a lower figure, but so far, Democrats have shown no inclination to compromise. In a clear sign of the political value Democrats believe the issue has, Harkin and others have said they intend to force another vote on the increase closer to this year's elections.

if minimum wage is so good check the eu Germany Italy Switzerland Sweden and many others have no gov imposed wages and they are doing OK and i believe they have a more stable currency which in the US the fed is always devaluing the dollar.

Liberalismiscancer

May 2, 2014 8:06 PM CDT

GOOD FOR THE REPUBLICANS!!!
LIBERALISM IS CANCER

baguio23

May 2, 2014 2:12 PM CDT

"Chief economist for Goldman Sachs, Jan Hatzius, wrote: “The key reason is the continued slack in the U.S. labor market and the resulting weakness of nominal wage growth …. The subdued growth of unit labor costs has supported profit margins even in an environment of low price inflation.”
;
;;;should read "extra " high margins....
This means we need poltical action.

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